tropism

[ troh-piz-uh m ]
/ ˈtroʊ pɪz əm /

noun Biology.

an orientation of an organism to an external stimulus, as light, especially by growth rather than by movement.

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Origin of tropism

First recorded in 1895–1900; independent use of -tropism

OTHER WORDS FROM tropism

tro·pis·mat·ic [troh-piz-mat-ik] /ˌtroʊ pɪzˈmæt ɪk/, adjectivetro·pis·tic [troh-pis-tik] /troʊˈpɪs tɪk/, adjective

Words nearby tropism

tropical typhus, tropical year, tropicalize, tropicbird, tropine, tropism, tropo-, tropocollagen, tropology, tropomyosin, troponin

Definition for tropism (2 of 2)

-tropism

variant of -tropy.

Origin of -tropism

see origin at -tropy, -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for tropism

British Dictionary definitions for tropism (1 of 2)

tropism
/ (ˈtrəʊpɪzəm) /

noun

the response of an organism, esp a plant, to an external stimulus by growth in a direction determined by the stimulus

Derived forms of tropism

tropismatic, adjectivetropistic (trəʊˈpɪstɪk), adjective

Word Origin for tropism

from Greek tropos a turn

British Dictionary definitions for tropism (2 of 2)

-tropism

-tropy

n combining form

indicating a tendency to turn or develop in response to a certain stimulusphototropism

Word Origin for -tropism

from Greek tropos a turn
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for tropism (1 of 2)

tropism
[ trō′pĭz′əm ]

n.

The turning or bending movement of a living organism or part toward or away from an external stimulus, such as light, heat, or gravity.

Other words from tropism

tro′pic, tro•pis′tic adj.

Medical definitions for tropism (2 of 2)

-tropism

suff.

Tropism:stereotropism.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for tropism

tropism
[ trō′pĭz′əm ]

The growth or movement of a living organism or anatomical structure toward or away from an external stimulus, such as light, heat, or gravity. See also geotropism hydrotropism phototropism.

Other words from tropism

tropistic adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.